Team Cesar Gracie surprisingly pleasantly responded to BJ Penn‘s Twitter insult on Nick Diaz with thought-provoking rationale: here. Um… then BJ Penn threatened Cesar Gracie: here. Hermes Franca sentenced to 42 months in jail for.
Team Cesar Graciesurprisingly pleasantly responded to BJ Penn‘s Twitter insult on Nick Diaz with thought-provoking rationale: here.
Hermes Franca sentenced to 42 months in jail for sexual acts with an underage student: here.
Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine weigh-in video: here.
Strikeforce unsure what to do with Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos who tested positive for steroid use. Dana White says she will be stripped of Womens Featherweight belt: here.
UFC on Fuel 2 in Stockholm, Sweden adds Paulo Thiago vs. Siyar Bahadurzada. Check out how the April 14th card is shaping up, in case you wanna book a ticket to the land of milk and honey: here.
Tito Ortiz makes acting appearance on crime drama, CSI:NY. Watch video: here.
Check out photos [below] of Katy Perry whose divorce was announced this week. Better enjoy these pictures, ’cause you probably have zero chance with her…yep, even though this guy did. Life is unfair.
Most ‘crimes’ in MMA take the form of inept judging and flagrant rule breaking, but this past year many professional fighters were caught up in activities that landed them inside of a very different sort of cage. Get ready for a trip down memory lane in our most depressing “booking roundup” of the year. Here’s your run down of 2011’s biggest arrests, convictions, acquittals, and sentencings.
Most ‘crimes’ in MMA take the form of inept judging and flagrant rule breaking, but this past year many professional fighters were caught up in activities that landed them inside of a very different sort of cage. Get ready for a trip down memory lane in our most depressing “booking roundup” of the year. Here’s your run down of 2011’s biggest arrests, convictions, acquittals, and sentencings.
Random Assaults
Ben Fodor (aka“Phoenix Jones”)
Elements of the Crime: You almost get the feeling that some of the fighters on this list go looking for trouble. In the case of Ben Fodor, that’s entirely accurate. The brother of Strikeforce fighter Caros Fodor, Ben has only had one professional fight, preferring instead to wage his battles on the mean streets of Seattle under the moniker “Phoenix Jones”. The would-be super hero tried to break up a street fight earlier this year by dosing the parties with pepper spray. In addition to enraging the “bad guys”, Fodor’s actions caught the attention of local authorities. It turns out that when you pepper spray a crowd you’re committing a crime, unless you have a written note from Commissioner Gordon.
The Charges: Assault
The Sentence: Though Fodor was summoned to court, no charges were filed.
Career Fallout: Well, a fighting career isn’t really his focus. His crime-fighting career, however, may have taken a hit. Jones’s ‘super-secret’ identity was revealed as a function of the court process. Now anyone he’s ever loved is at risk.
Ricco Rodriguez
Elements of the Crime: When Ricco Rodriguez wants to party, Ricco Rodriguez wants to party. It’s caused him plenty of trouble in his life, from becoming the first UFC fighter suspended for coke abuse to a little incident where he dragged his not-quite-yet-dead girlfriend’s body behind the wheel of his wrecked car. After an appearance on “Celebrity Rehab”, things were looking up for the former champ, but then he short changed a cab driver after being dropped off a bar and slammed the cabbie to the ground when he called the authorities. Unfortunately “Suave” hadn’t calmed down by the time the cops arrived; as they tried to place him under arrest, he shoved one of them into the wall.
Elements of the Crime: Compared to most of the drunken women that fell prey to MMA fighters this year, Hong Man Choi’s victim got off pretty easy. The 20 year old refused to pay what she considered to be an inflated tab after having drinks at the K1 & MMA fighter’s pub in Gwangjin, Korea. Choi was said to have punched the woman after she cursed at him during their brief argument. The 7’2” giant admitted to pushing the woman aside after she had struck him, but no more.
Career Fallout: If fighting Jose Canseco doesn’t kill your career, nothing can, bruh.
Junie Browning
Elements of the Crime: Attention whore Junie Browning came correct with a dramatic, last minute entry to our rap-sheet wrap-up. The aptly-named “Lunatik” took a break from training in Phuket, Thailand to have a few drinks with friends at a local watering hole. Trouble must have a passport, because it promptly tracked Junie down and a massive bar, street, and hospital brawl ensued. What exactly prompted the melee and who was the aggressor is a matter of whose story you believe. It’s your classic case of “drunken-insane-MMA-washout-said/drunken-bar-owner-potential-plane-bomber-said. What we do know is that Browning went into hiding, either from authorities or the Thai mafia. More details poured in, but they hardly shed light on the matter.
The Charges: Multiple assault charges
The Sentence: In the midst of a massive manhunt, Junie turned himself in to authorities, who opted to work with both parties to find a resolution to the squab rather than press criminal charges. Thus far those efforts have proven fruitless.
Career Fallout: Junie only fought once in 2011, picking up his fourth straight loss on a regional card in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While this recent legal dust-up won’t endear him to any big league promoters, neither will his fighting.
(“I am ashamed to admit that along the way I lost sight of what is truly important [in] life.”)
After being arrested last month for multiple counts of sexual abuse and unlawful sexual penetration on a victim under the age of 14, former UFC lightweight Hermes Franca has been cooling in Clackamas County Jail in Oregon City, Oregon, awaiting his July 12th trial date. Yesterday, he posted a letter on the UG in which he reflected on his life, and expressed regret about the way he sometimes lived it. Check it out:
Hello,
This is not a statement regarding my current legal situation. On these matters I must trust I God and the United States Judicial System. I believe that in time the truth will prevail, as it always does. I am releasing this statement to assure you all that I am safe! With peace and serenity in my heart I write these words:
In the year 2000 I arrived in the United States with $300, spoke very little English and had a dream bigger than most.
Over the past decade I have had an “unbelievable” life, and “unbelievable” MMA career. God has granted me the privilege of traveling to many beautiful places, meeting numerous wonderful people and I have personally witnessed dreams come true… My Dreams! I tell you the truth when I say, I am blessed!
(“I am ashamed to admit that along the way I lost sight of what is truly important [in] life.”)
After being arrested last month for multiple counts of sexual abuse and unlawful sexual penetration on a victim under the age of 14, former UFC lightweight Hermes Franca has been cooling in Clackamas County Jail in Oregon City, Oregon, awaiting his July 12th trial date. Yesterday, he posted a letter on the UG in which he reflected on his life, and expressed regret about the way he sometimes lived it. Check it out:
Hello,
This is not a statement regarding my current legal situation. On these matters I must trust I God and the United States Judicial System. I believe that in time the truth will prevail, as it always does. I am releasing this statement to assure you all that I am safe! With peace and serenity in my heart I write these words:
In the year 2000 I arrived in the United States with $300, spoke very little English and had a dream bigger than most.
Over the past decade I have had an “unbelievable” life, and “unbelievable” MMA career. God has granted me the privilege of traveling to many beautiful places, meeting numerous wonderful people and I have personally witnessed dreams come true… My Dreams! I tell you the truth when I say, I am blessed!
I recently read a quote by David Goetz that stated, “Too much of the good life ends up being toxic, deforming us spiritually.” Wow! This honestly hits home in my heart. I am ashamed to admit that along the way I lost sight of what is truly important [in] life, God and unconditional love for my family and friends. These are the things that should matter.
I admit that at times I have been selfish, sometimes acting as if I knew what was better for my life than God himself. I am sorry for this behavior and I have much regret. Drinking, women, parties, all part of a lifestyle that has led to my failing as a husband, a father, a dreamer.
I am now a man with very little freedom. Still, I am a human being, a son of God, a fighter at heart. I will not let this keep me down.
Lastly, I would like to share with you some important things I have learned. Put God above all, find your passion, and follow your heart. Respect all women and men in your life. Respect yourself enough to take care of yourself and your family. “God is Love”.
You are in my prayers. Please continue to pray for me. I love you all.
God Bless,
Hermes Franca
“Fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.” Thomas S. Monson
Please write to me at:
Hermes Franca de Barros, SID#18980020, 2206 South Kaen Rd. Oregon City, OR. 97045
I have a feeling that Franca’s big-house blogs will be a lot less zany than War Machine’s. Anybody feel like writing him a letter?
(A homeless man who claimed to be Franca turned himself in last Monday)
More details have emerged in Hermes Franca’s sexual assault case and let’s just say, it doesn’t look good for the former UFC lightweight contender.
According to Fox 12 Oregon, the alleged victim is under the age of 14 and the pair of “unlawful penetration” charges indicate that Franca used an object (or numerous objects) on her.
(A homeless man who claimed to be Franca turned himself in last Monday)
More details have emerged in Hermes Franca’s sexual assault case and let’s just say, it doesn’t look good for the former UFC lightweight contender.
According to Fox 12 Oregon, the alleged victim is under the age of 14 and the pair of “unlawful penetration” charges indicate that Franca used an object (or numerous objects) on her.
“Unlawful sexual penetration” refers to the act of penetrating the vagina, anus or penis of another with any object other than the penis or mouth of the actor. Usually a finger is the “object” used.
“Sexual abuse” usually means touching the sexually intimate parts of another (except in the case of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree). Refer to the definition of “sexual contact” below.
Franca, whose real name is Hermes Franca DeBarros, was set for a bail hearing on Friday, but there’s no word as to whether or not he was granted a release considering he’s a landed immigrant from Brazil who could pose a potential flight risk.
Franca’s lawyer Ryan Corbridge gave FOX 12 the following statement regarding his client:
“Mr. DeBarros was made aware of the allegations a number of weeks ago while in Brazil. He has been in contact with the Clackamas County DA’s office in coordinating compliance with every aspect of the investigation. Mr. DeBarros voluntarily left Brazil and came to Oregon to confront these allegations. Mr. DeBarros maintains his innocence and has faith in the US Justice System.”
According to the report, the seven counts of sexual abuse and two counts of unlawful penetration took place between November 30 and December 31 in Clackamas County, where Franca lived while operating a jiu-jitsu school. He has since moved back to Florida.
(These latest charges make Franca’s DUI in 2008 look like a jaywalking charge.)
According to a report from Sherdog, nine charges were laid this week against Hermes Franca in relation to a sexual assault that took place in Oregon, where the UFC veteran used to live and run his Team Hermes Franca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
The 36-year-old native of Fortaleza, Brazil who was arrested in 2008 for a DUI, flew from Florida, where he now lives and trains to turn himself in on Monday. He is charged with seven counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and two counts of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree. Franca’s trial is scheduled for July 12 at 9 a.m. in the Clackamas County Courthouse in Oregon City, Oregon. His bail was set at $250,000.
(These latest charges make Franca’s DUI in 2008 look like a jaywalking charge.)
According to a report from Sherdog, nine charges were laid this week against Hermes Franca in relation to a sexual assault that took place in Oregon, where the UFC veteran used to live and run his Team Hermes Franca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
The 36-year-old native of Fortaleza, Brazil who was arrested in 2008 for a DUI, flew from Florida, where he now lives and trains to turn himself in on Monday. He is charged with seven counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and two counts of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree. Franca’s trial is scheduled for July 12 at 9 a.m. in the Clackamas County Courthouse in Oregon City, Oregon. His bail was set at $250,000.
Acting swiftly to the news, Maximum Fighting president Mark Pavelich released a statement today stating that he has terminated Franca’s contract with his organization as a result of the allegations against him. Pavelich also said that he is currently seeking a new opponent to replace him in his upcoming MFC 29 main event lightweight title fight with Drew Fickett, which could mean Antonio McKee might be brought back into the fold to fight for the title he never vacated in the first place.
“Mr. Franca’s legal situation is a matter in the hands of law enforcement officials and soon to be going before the courts and because of that there will not be any further comment on those allegations, but I have taken immediate action to indicate that he is no longer going to be part of my organization. We were informed about his arrest and pending trial, and as of 10:30 a.m. MT today, he has been released, Pavelich said via email. “These are serious allegations that he is facing and I do not want the Maximum Fighting Championship associated in any way with these matters.”
Filed under: NewsFormer UFC lightweight Hermes Franca turned himself in Monday at the Clackamas County Jail in Oregon City, Ore. on charges of sexual abuse and unlawful sexual penetration.
Franca, whose bail is set at $250,000, has a trial scheduled f…
Franca, whose bail is set at $250,000, has a trial scheduled for July 12, according to Sherdog.com. A report on Examiner.com, who first reported the arrest, also states Franca pleaded not guilty on all nine counts, but MMA Fighting was only able to confirm with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office that Franca is currently in jail and Franca’s trial in July.
The former WEC champion competed for the UFC in 2003-2004 and later in 2006-2009. Franca (22-12) was at the height of his MMA career in 2006 and 2007 when he scored notable wins over Spencer Fisher, Nate Diaz and Jamie Varner to earn himself a shot at the UFC lightweight belt. Franca ended up losing to Sean Sherk in the championship bout at UFC 73 that saw both fighters fail their drug tests following the fight.
Franca recently signed a three-fight deal with Canada’s Maximum Fighting Championship promotion and was scheduled to meet Drew Fickett at MFC 30 on June 10 for the MFC lightweight belt. Shortly after news of Franca’s arrest circulated around the Internet, the MFC announced the release of Franca and a new opponent for Fickett is to be announced.
“Mr. Franca’s legal situation is a matter in the hands of law enforcement officials and soon to be going before the courts and because of that there will not be any further comment on those allegations, but I have taken immediate action to indicate that he is no longer going to be part of my organization,” MFC president Mark Pavelich said in a statement. “We were informed about his arrest and pending trial, and as of 10:30 a.m. MT today, he has been released. These are serious allegations that he is facing and I do not want the Maximum Fighting Championship associated in any way with these matters.”
Former UFC lightweight 